The Easiest Method To Steam Hot Dog Buns Is So Quick You'll Never Do It Another Way - Tasting Table

"One of the secrets to the best hot dog isn't the wiener, the toppings, or even the type of bread - it's simply steaming the bun. If you've ever gotten a hot dog from a street vendor, you've probably seen them place the buns in a covered steam tray. When it's ready, the bun is warm, soft, and perfectly chewy all the way through. There's really no comparison to a dry bun straight out of the bag."

"Once you assemble the hot dogs (without toppings), place the filled buns back in the bag and close it. Do this right after you take the wiener off the grill for the best results. The heat from the links will warm the buns immediately, while the plastic bag seals in the moisture for easy steaming. Since you're not using an actual steamer or pot of boiling water, there's far less risk of making them too soggy by accident."

Steaming the bun produces warm, soft, and chewy hot-dog buns that outperform dry or toasted buns. Street vendors achieve this effect with covered steam trays. Reproduce the same result at home by placing assembled hot dogs (without toppings) back into the original plastic bun bag and sealing it immediately after removing the wiener from the grill. Heat from the links warms the buns while the bag traps moisture for easy steaming. The bag technique reduces the risk of sogginess compared with boiling, avoids burnt toasts, is portable, organizes serving space, and keeps hot dogs ready for serving at barbecues.

Read at Tasting Table